I'll Never Tell by Philippa East

Author:Philippa East [East, Philippa]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers
Published: 2022-02-15T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 22

Paul

THREE HOURS BEFORE

He drove them to the hotel first, to check into their rooms and drop off their luggage. They were early and they could walk straight to the Barbican from here.

In Paul and Julia’s double room, Chrissie threw herself into a chair. She had her headphones on – big chunky things clapped over her ears. Paul couldn’t tell what she was listening to. They let nothing in and let nothing out.

There was a TV, armchairs, a sparkling en suite and refreshments. He filled the kettle and cleared his throat. ‘Tea?’

Julia nodded. She had prised her heels off and was sitting on the edge of the bed, running her hands over the crisp white sheets. ‘Yes. Thank you.’

He switched on the kettle and yet again checked his watch – out of habit and nervousness. Five fifteen. They still had plenty of time.

‘Do you want to get food before?’ he asked them. ‘Or after?’ Chrissie turned her eyes to look at him with a strangely vacant expression on her face. She reached up to pause whatever track she was listening to, her gaze resting on him, although it seemed half seeing.

‘Do you want to eat before or after?’ he repeated.

‘Don’t mind,’ she said. Her voice was so slow, it was almost slurred. As though she’d put herself in some kind of trance. ‘Either. Whatever.’

Paul glanced across at Julia. She didn’t seem to have noticed. She had tipped to one side, letting herself lean against the soft pillows.

‘Well,’ he said, making the decision for all three of them. ‘Let’s eat after then. It’ll still be early enough. Here, Chrissie, have some of these to see you through.’ From the tea tray, he threw across a packet of fancy shortbread. Chrissie didn’t flinch; she hardly even reacted. It seemed the only real movement in the room was the pounding in his chest. The biscuits landed with a thud in her lap. She let them slide to the side and left them there. Then, silently, she clicked her music back on.

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